Analysis of gravity dams on complex rock formations with effects of seepage

In many of the geotechnical engineering problems, particularly analysis of dam-foundation structures, the water flow induced forces have to be taken into consideration in order to arrive at a more realistic solution. The water flow induced forces viz. seepage forces and hydrostatic forces, which can be calculated from the seepage analysis, mainly depend upon the flow properties of the media. For analysis of flow through dam foundation with seams or faults, a new joint element formulation has been suggested to simulate flow through joints. By using the joint element, results of the seepage analysis of a dam-foundation with sub-horizontal seams have been presented. With the calculated water flow induced forces from the seepage analysis, elastic and elastoplastic behaviour of a dam–foudation system with seam have been compared.